SMF February 2021 Challenge - Circling Taiwan Swirl

[melonpan]

I don't meet the requirements so I think I'll try to do this outside of the challenge

I only have one mica and three clays right now, I was wondering if anyone has tried doing the Taiwan swirl with clays rather than colours?

 

[GemstonePony]

I don't meet the requirements so I think I'll try to do this outside of the challenge

I only have one mica and three clays right now, I was wondering if anyone has tried doing the Taiwan swirl with clays rather than colours?

I haven't used clays per se, but on my last attempt the batter was so thick it was mounding instead of flowing, and it turned out ok. I think as long as you pre-soak the clays so they don't accelerate too badly and your batter is still observing the law of gravity when you swirl, you should be fine.

 

[linne1gi]

Sign Up List:

1. jcandleattic - hopefully will have time to do this one.
2. Misschief - been wanting to do this again for a while
3. KimW - One I've been wanting to try! Yippeeeee
4. GemstonePony - I love this swirl!
5. DKing - I'm looking forward to seeing what I can come up with
6. catscankim - been wanting to learn this one!
7. AMD - I've been wanting to get "around" to doing this technique again
8. violets2217 - Gonna face my fears! This Challenge and the swirl! Plus, gives me another reason to make soap I don't need.
9. SideDoorSoaps - I’ve had dividers for awhile; I should try this!
10. Vicki C - never tried this but have watched plenty of videos - mesmerizing!

11. linne1gi - I’ve done this before, but not well! I’d like to be better.

 

[dibbles]

I don't meet the requirements so I think I'll try to do this outside of the challenge

I only have one mica and three clays right now, I was wondering if anyone has tried doing the Taiwan swirl with clays rather than colours?

Please do try and show us what you make! Clays will work - as @GemstonePony said, mix with a little water to let them hydrate first. Also Holly of Kapia Mera only uses natural colorants and I think she has a Circling Taiwan Swirl video on YouTube. I can't remember if she used clays for that one though. Good Luck!

 

[dibbles]

Sign Up List:

1. jcandleattic - hopefully will have time to do this one.
2. Misschief - been wanting to do this again for a while
3. KimW - One I've been wanting to try! Yippeeeee
4. GemstonePony - I love this swirl!
5. DKing - I'm looking forward to seeing what I can come up with
6. catscankim - been wanting to learn this one!
7. AMD - I've been wanting to get "around" to doing this technique again
8. violets2217 - Gonna face my fears! This Challenge and the swirl! Plus, gives me another reason to make soap I don't need.
9. SideDoorSoaps - I’ve had dividers for awhile; I should try this!
10. Vicki C - never tried this but have watched plenty of videos - mesmerizing!
11. linne1gi - I’ve done this before, but not well! I’d like to be better.

 

[The_Emerald_Chicken]

Sign Up List:

1. jcandleattic - hopefully will have time to do this one.
2. Misschief - been wanting to do this again for a while
3. KimW - One I've been wanting to try! Yippeeeee
4. GemstonePony - I love this swirl!
5. DKing - I'm looking forward to seeing what I can come up with
6. catscankim - been wanting to learn this one!
7. AMD - I've been wanting to get "around" to doing this technique again
8. violets2217 - Gonna face my fears! This Challenge and the swirl! Plus, gives me another reason to make soap I don't need.
9. SideDoorSoaps - I’ve had dividers for awhile; I should try this!
10. Vicki C - never tried this but have watched plenty of videos - mesmerizing!
11. linne1gi - I’ve done this before, but not well! I’d like to be better.
12. The_Emerald_Chicken - Was excited to see this swirl as the monthly challenge!

 

[Vicki C]

I was digging through drawers this weekend and found my Taiwan swirling dowels

Taiwan swirling dowels... I’m intimidated

 

[violets2217]

Taiwan swirling dowels... I’m intimidated

Sure don't have those.... POPSICLE STICK OR WOODEN SPOON HANDLE!

 

[GemstonePony]

I used a wide popsicle stick, but I cut one end so it was flat and could swirl the loaf evenly all the way through. I guess that means I have a fancy swirling tool as well.

 

[amd]

Taiwan swirling dowels... I’m intimidated

I wouldn't be. I've attempted this twice, and purchased two different sizes of wooden dowel rods to compare how the size of the tool affects the swirl. They were used and shoved in the back of a drawer to be quickly forgotten. Also it did not occur to me that I could have used a much thinner chopstick, spoon handle or something already on hand to achieve the swirl... ahem. Sometimes I'm as thick [headed] as the dowel rods I was using...

 

[Louise Taylor]

Sign Up List:

1. jcandleattic - hopefully will have time to do this one.
2. Misschief - been wanting to do this again for a while
3. KimW - One I've been wanting to try! Yippeeeee
4. GemstonePony - I love this swirl!
5. DKing - I'm looking forward to seeing what I can come up with
6. catscankim - been wanting to learn this one!
7. AMD - I've been wanting to get "around" to doing this technique again
8. violets2217 - Gonna face my fears! This Challenge and the swirl! Plus, gives me another reason to make soap I don't need.
9. SideDoorSoaps - I’ve had dividers for awhile; I should try this!
10. Vicki C - never tried this but have watched plenty of videos - mesmerizing!
11. linne1gi - I’ve done this before, but not well! I’d like to be better.
12. The_Emerald_Chicken - Was excited to see this swirl as the monthly challenge!
13. Louise Taylor. Never tried this technique and always wanted to try.

 

[KimW]

Summary of my first attempt: Blahahahahahaha!!!!

 

[dibbles]

Summary of my first attempt: Blahahahahahaha!!!!

Did you cut it yet? Don't judge it until you see the inside!

 

[KimW]

Did you cut it yet? Don't judge it until you see the inside!

I judge it - guilty! haha. Really though, thank you for the encouragement. Will cut in the early morning and I shall maintain a "wait and see" mindset.

 

[GemstonePony]

I judge it - guilty! haha. Really though, thank you for the encouragement. Will cut in the early morning and I shall maintain a "wait and see" mindset.

I'll add don't judge it until you see the bars in the middle. I thought my first attempt flopped horribly until I got to cutting the bars in the middle of the loaf.

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

This is such a beautiful design I'd love to try but another time, i'm looking forward to seeing your creations. Good luck everyone .

 

[violets2217]

The thing I’ve discovered about this swirl is no matter how crappy you think the pour & swirl went... you are very surprised when cutting! I so tried to pour at a light trace both times like @dibbles recommended... it would have been a less of a mess. But swirling after setting a bit is the key. Now I need a planer to clean up the top and bottom pieces... the middle pieces are alway perfect! And I just need to decide which batch I want to enter. This was fun! Thanks, this was a awesome first challenge! Definitely a learning experience!

Did you cut it yet? Don't judge it until you see the inside!

I missed this post...didn’t realize there was a second page already! LOL! There is definitely always a surprise on the inside with this swirl! My favorite part was the cutting! This was so fun! Thanks!

 

[Mobjack Bay]

Sign Up List:

1. jcandleattic - hopefully will have time to do this one.
2. Misschief - been wanting to do this again for a while
3. KimW - One I've been wanting to try! Yippeeeee
4. GemstonePony - I love this swirl!
5. DKing - I'm looking forward to seeing what I can come up with
6. catscankim - been wanting to learn this one!
7. AMD - I've been wanting to get "around" to doing this technique again
8. violets2217 - Gonna face my fears! This Challenge and the swirl! Plus, gives me another reason to make soap I don't need.
9. SideDoorSoaps - I’ve had dividers for awhile; I should try this!
10. Vicki C - never tried this but have watched plenty of videos - mesmerizing!
11. linne1gi - I’ve done this before, but not well! I’d like to be better.
12. The_Emerald_Chicken - Was excited to see this swirl as the monthly challenge!
13. Louise Taylor. Never tried this technique and always wanted to try.
14. Mobjack - I’m in.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

In two years of soap making, I have not attempted to make a taiwan swirl because I’m too lazy to make the dividers. I broke down and bought this little 8” mold. When I opened it, I discovered that I have a choice between 3 or 4 dividers. Now I will have option paralysis!

 

[Misschief]

In two years of soap making, I have not attempted to make a taiwan swirl because I’m too lazy to make the dividers. I broke down and bought this little 8” mold. When I opened it, I discovered that I have a choice between 3 or 4 dividers. Now I will have option paralysis!

View attachment 53812

Keep it simple, especially for your first time. I'll be making mine today.